The Boulder City Council signed off Tuesday on plans to move two historic homes owned by the University of Colorado from Grandview Avenue to a lot on the 900 block of Marine Street.

CU has been looking for several years for someone to move the three historic homes at 1220, 1243 and 1244 Grandview Ave. that it would otherwise demolish. Numerous potential deals fell apart over the expense of moving the homes, even with an offer of $100,000 in financial assistance for each home.

Finally, Boulder climber Christian Griffith, founder of Verve Climbing outdoor clothing company, came forward to move two of the homes, the ones at 1220 and 1243 Grandview, to a lot where he had previously moved another historic home.

The Boulder City Council unanimously approved a deal that provides setback, density and other variances to allow the three homes to be located on one lot, as well as giving $50,000 per home to offset the cost of the move.

CU will provide another $50,000 per home.

City Council members praised Griffith for his perseverance in overcoming numerous hurdles to make the project happen.

Griffith said he felt strongly about doing what he could to preserve these pieces of Boulder history.

The bungalow at 1220 Grandview Ave. once belonged to George Reynolds, a well-known CU professor and respected biblical, Shakespearean and English literature scholar. Reynolds, who died in 1964, left his bungalow to the university and donated money to the city for a library branch, which is named in his memory.

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Over the years, the bungalows have served as office space for various groups on the campus, including the Conference on World Affairs and the Institute for Behavioral Science.

The university determined the buildings would cost too much to renovate. The unclaimed home is likely to be demolished.

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